Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). (2023). TeamSTEPPS 3.0—Tool: SBAR. https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/communication/tools/sbar.html 

This official AHRQ module introduces SBAR as a national standard for structured communication. It provides definitions, scripts, and scenarios for teaching SBAR within TeamSTEPPS training programs. Nurse leaders can use it to align policies and competencies with national best practices. This matters because adopting standardized frameworks ensures compliance with safety standards and fosters a culture of teamwork. 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). (2023). TeamSTEPPS 3.0—Tool: Handoff. https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/communication/tools/handoff.html 

This resource explains best practices for handoffs, emphasizing responsibility transfer, contingency planning, and opportunities for questions. It provides content that aligns SBAR with broader handoff safety strategies. Policy writers can integrate its elements into ED workflows. This matters because comprehensive handoff policies prevent gaps in accountability and improve patient safety. 

The Joint Commission. (2023). Sentinel event data: 2023 annual review. https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/patient-safety-topics/sentinel-event/ 

This annual review shows that communication failures remain one of the top causes of sentinel events across hospitals. It provides national data that underscores the urgency of structured handoffs. Nurse leaders can use this evidence to advocate for SBAR as a risk mitigation strategy. This matters because reducing communication-related sentinel events improves outcomes and reduces liability for healthcare organizations. 

Tuzik Micek, W., Lancaster, R. J., Hlebichuk, J., Panice, J., & Bulthuis, K. (2025). Strengthening nursing research communication: Implementing R-SBAR in Magnet® hospitals. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 55(5), E24–E26. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001571 

This article describes how Magnet® hospitals implemented R-SBAR, a version of SBAR that includes read-back. It provides insights on governance, staff engagement, and accountability structures. Administrators can use it to strengthen policy language and improve compliance monitoring. This matters because read-back ensures closed-loop communication, reducing risk of critical omissions in emergency care.